Universal remote trigger actuator

ABSTRACT

A remote trigger actuator, including a driver, a shaft coupled to the driver, the shaft including a central axis, a proximal end, and a distal end opposite the proximal end, and a cam coupled to the shaft proximate the distal end, the cam including a first end and a second end opposite the first end. Wherein rotation of the shaft about the axis causes the second end of the cam to engage a trigger of the firearm thereby discharging the firearm. The trigger actuator is configured to be mounted to the firearm.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

Firearms have been used prominently worldwide for centuries for variousapplications such as military, personal protection, hunting, andrecreation. Most firearms typically require the engagement of a triggeror similar device in order to discharge or eject a projectile.Conventionally, these trigger devices are manually depressed by the useror operator of the weapon when the barrel is substantially aligned withthe intended target. However, such manual depression of the triggeroften introduces asymmetric forces on the trigger and the weapon. Suchasymmetric forces are undesirable since they often result in a shiftingof the point of impact for the projectile. In many applications, such aslong range shooting applications (e.g., bench shooting), anyunintentional shifting of a projectile's point of impact is undesirabledue to the fact that precise control of the projectile's flight path isoften essential for such applications.

SUMMARY

These and other needs in the art are addressed in one embodiment by aremote trigger actuator. In an embodiment, the remote trigger actuatorcomprises a driver and a shaft coupled to the driver, the shaftincluding a central axis, a proximal end, and a distal end opposite theproximal end. In addition, the trigger actuator comprises a cam coupledto the shaft proximate the distal end, the cam including a first end anda second end opposite the first end. Rotation of the shaft about theaxis causes the second end of the cam to engage a trigger of the firearmthereby discharging the firearm. The trigger actuator is configured tobe mounted to the firearm.

These and other needs in the art are addressed in another embodiment bya remote trigger actuator for a firearm. In an embodiment, the triggeractuator comprises a housing mountable to the firearm. In addition, thetrigger actuator comprises a driver slidingly disposed within thehousing. Further, the trigger actuator comprises a shaft coupled to thedriver, the shaft including a central axis, a proximal end disposedwithin the housing, and a distal end extending from the housing. Stillfurther, the trigger actuator comprises a cam coupled to the shaftproximate the distal end, the cam including a first end and a second endopposite the first end. Rotation of the shaft about the axis causes thesecond end of the cam to engage a trigger of the firearm therebydischarging the firearm.

These and other needs in the art are addressed in another embodiment bya method of discharging a firearm. In an embodiment, the methodcomprises mounting a remote trigger actuator to a trigger guard of thefirearm. The remote trigger actuator further comprising a driver, ashaft coupled to the driver, the shaft including a central axis, aproximal end, and a distal end opposite the proximal end, and a camcoupled to the shaft proximate the distal end, the cam including a firstend and a second end opposite the first end. In addition, the methodcomprises engaging a trigger of the firearm with the second end of thecam. Further, the method comprises rotating the shaft about the axis todischarge the firearm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention,reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a rifle with a remote triggeractuator in accordance with the principles disclosed herein;

FIG. 2 shows another perspective view of the rifle and the remotetrigger actuator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged perspective view of the remote trigger actuatorof FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows another enlarged perspective view of the remote triggeractuator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a partially schematic top cross-sectional view of theremote trigger actuator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the remote trigger actuator of FIG.1;

FIG. 7 shows An enlarged perspective view of an alternative embodimentof a remote trigger actuator coupled to a rifle in accordance with theprinciples disclosed herein;

FIG. 8 shows another enlarged perspective view of the remote triggeractuator of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the rifle and remote trigger actuatorof FIG. 1 coupled to a remote firing mechanism;

FIG. 10 shows an enlarged side view of the remote trigger actuator ofFIG. 1 coupled to the rifle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 shows an enlarged side view of the remote trigger actuator ofFIG. 1 coupled to the rifle of FIG. 1 and with the actuator depressingthe trigger of the rifle; and

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the remote trigger actuator of FIG.1 with an additional bracing member coupled thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following discussion is directed to various exemplary embodiments.However, one skilled in the art will understand that the examplesdisclosed herein have broad application, and that the discussion of anyembodiment is meant only to be exemplary of that embodiment, and notintended to suggest that the scope of the disclosure, including theclaims, is limited to that embodiment.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claimsto refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the artwill appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature orcomponent by different names. This document does not intend todistinguish between components or features that differ in name but notfunction. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale. Certainfeatures and components herein may be shown exaggerated in scale or insomewhat schematic form and some details of conventional elements maynot be shown in interest of clarity and conciseness.

In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and“comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should beinterpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . . ” Also, theterm “couple” or “couples” is intended to mean either an indirect ordirect connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device,that connection may be through a direct connection, or through anindirect connection via other devices, components, and connections. Inaddition, as used herein, the terms “axial” and “axially” generally meanalong or parallel to a central axis (e.g., central axis of a body or aport), while the terms “radial” and “radially” generally meanperpendicular to the central axis. For instance, an axial distancerefers to a distance measured along or parallel to the central axis, anda radial distance means a distance measured perpendicular to the centralaxis.

As used herein, the word “approximately” means “plus or minus 10%.” Asused herein, the phrase “firing operation” or “firing operations” refersto the act of discharging a firearm.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, wherein a rifle 10 with a trigger actuator100 coupled thereto is shown. Rifle 10 generally comprises a barrel 18and a trigger assembly 8 which further comprises a trigger 12, and atrigger guard 14 substantially surrounding the trigger 12 and defining atrigger well 16. As will be described in more detail below, trigger 12may be depressed within well 16 in order to discharge the rifle 10 andeject a projectile (not shown) out of barrel 18. Trigger actuator 100comprises a housing 112, a drive assembly 120 disposed within thehousing 112 (note: drive assembly 120 is not specifically shown in FIGS.1-4), a clamping assembly 140, and a trigger actuation assembly 180.Each of these components will now be described in more detail below.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, housing 112 generally comprises a base 114,and an upper housing member 116 coupled to the base 114. Upper housingmember 116 includes a generally closed first end 116 a, a generally opensecond end 116 b opposite the first end 116 a, a first lateral side 116c, a second lateral side 116 d opposite the first lateral side 116 c,and a recess or cavity 118 extending from the open end 116 b between thesides 116 c, d. An aperture or slot 117 is disposed at first end 116 a.Slot 117 includes a first end 117 a and a second end 117 b opposite thefirst end 117 a and provides an open path from the outside environmentinto the cavity 118, between the ends 117 a, b. As will be described inmore detail below, slot 117 also allows the shaft 124 of the motor 122to extend from housing 112 such that a cam 186 may engage the trigger 12of rifle 10 during operation. An electric coupling or plug 121 isdisposed along the second lateral side 116 d of housing member 116 and,as will be described in more detail below, is configured to provide anelectrical coupling point for the motor 122 during operation. As is bestshown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a pair of laterally adjacent substantiallyparallel vertical plates 111, 113 extend from the upper housing member116, wherein each plate 111, 113 includes a mounting hole 111 a, 113 a,respectively (note: mounting holes 111 a, 113 a are not directly shownin FIGS. 4 and 6). While not specifically shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, itshould be appreciated that the mounting holes 111 a, 113 a, aresubstantially aligned with one another.

Referring still to FIGS. 4-6, base 114 includes a first or top side 114a, a second or bottom side 114 b opposite the top side 114 a, and a slot115 extending from the top side 114 a to the bottom side 114 b. Slot 115includes a first end 115 a and a second end 115 b opposite the first end115 a and provides an open path from the outside environment into thecavity 118, between the ends 115 a, b. Base 114 is coupled to upperhousing member 116 at the open end 116 b via a plurality of couplingmembers 119. Coupling members 119 may be any suitable device forcoupling or joining two members together. For example, members 19 may bescrews, bolts, nuts, an adhesive, or a combination thereof, while stillcomplying with the principles disclosed herein. In this embodiment, atotal of four coupling members 119 are used to mount base 114 to upperhousing member 116, however, in other embodiments the number of couplingmembers 119 may be greatly varied while still complying with theprinciples disclosed herein.

Referring briefly again to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, a first bracingmember 170 may be coupled to housing member 116. In particular, member170 may be secured to the first lateral side 116 c of housing member 116via a pair of securing members 172 through slots 171 disposed in member170. Each slot 171 has a first end 171 a and a second end 171 b oppositethe first end 171 a. During operation, member 170 braces actuatordirectly against the rifle 10 in order to provide additional torsionalsupport in order to resist movement of actuator 100 during firingoperations. Additionally, in at least some embodiments, the position ofmember 170 may be adjusted relative to the housing 116 via slidingengagement of the members 172 and slots 171 between ends 171 a, b.

Referring briefly now to FIG. 7, in some embodiments, a second bracingmember 174 may be coupled to the housing member 116 either in additionto or alternatively to the first bracing member 170. The second bracingmember 174 extends through the trigger well 16 and contacts the innersurface of trigger guard 14. As is also described above for member 170,during operation, member 174 provides torsional support and resistsmovement of actuator 100 during firing operations. However, it shouldalso be appreciated that in other embodiments, no member 174 may beincluded while still complying with the principles disclosed herein.

Referring briefly now to FIG. 12, in some embodiments, a third bracingmember 350 may also be coupled to housing member 116 either in additionto or alternatively to the bracing members 170, 174. In this embodiment,member 350 is disposed on the second lateral side 116 d of member 116and generally includes a coupling section 350 a, and an engagementsection 350 b. Coupling section 350 a includes a pair of slots 352,while engagement section includes a substantially planar engagementsurface 354. Each slot 352 includes a first end 352 a and a second end352 b opposite the first end 352 a. Bracing member 350 is installed onto actuator 100 by aligning slots 352 on coupling section 350 a withcorresponding holes or apertures (not shown) disposed in the secondlateral side 116 d of housing member 116. Thereafter, a pair of securingmembers 356 is inserted through slots 352 such that each is threadablyengaged within one of the apertures in housing 116. During operation theposition of member 350 may be adjusted relative to the housing 116 bysliding each of the securing members 356 along slots 352 between ends352 a, b. As is also described above for members 170, 174, duringoperation, member 350 provides torsional support and resists movement ofactuator 100 during firing operations.

Referring now to FIG. 5, drive assembly 120 generally comprises a motorsupport member 128 disposed within cavity 118 of housing 112, a driveror motor 122 substantially disposed within the member 128, and a shaft124 extending from motor 122 along a central axis 125. Motor supportmember 128 comprises a generally open first or upper end 128 a, agenerally closed second or lower end 128 b opposite the upper end 128 a,and a recess 128 c extending from the upper end 128 a toward the lowerend 128 b. As will be described in more detail below, the recess 128 cis configured to receive and house motor 122 therein. Lower end 128 bcomprises a generally planar surface 129 and a cylindrical projection130 extending from the surface 129. Projection 130 includes a threadedthroughbore 132 which extends into the recess 128 c. When member 128 isinstalled within cavity 118, the surface 129 engages with top side 114 aof base 114. Therefore, once installed, the position of member 128within the cavity 118 relative to the sides 116 c, d may be adjusted byslidingly engaging the surface 129 with the top side 114 a of base 114.The adjustment of member 128 within housing 112 as described above islimited by the engagement between the projection 130 and the slot 115.More particularly, member 128 may be moved or translated toward thesecond lateral side 116 d until the projection 130 engages with thefirst end 115 a of slot 115 and may be moved or translated toward thesecond lateral side 116 c until the projection 130 engages with thesecond end 115 b of slot 115. Once a desired position for the member 128is achieved, a securing member 134, having a head 134 a and a washer 136disposed about the head 134 a, is threaded into the throughbore 132until the washer 136 is compressed between the head 134 a of member 134and the lower side 114 b of base 114, thereby effectively fixing member128's position within the cavity 118 of housing 112.

Motor 122 comprises a body 126, a shaft 124 extending from body 126, anda pair of lateral projections 127 disposed on opposite sides of body126. As shown in FIG. 5, motor 122 is disposed within motor housingmember 128 such that body 126 is received within recess 128 c, andprojections 127 each engage with the upper end 128 a. Motor 122 issecured to member 128 via coupling members 139 which are threaded intothe upper end 128 a, through throughbores 138 disposed in the radialprojections 127. During operation, motor 122 drives shaft 124 to rotateabout axis 125. Thus, motor 122 may be any suitable motor for actuatingor driving rotation of a shaft (e.g., shaft 124). For example, motor 122may be electric, pneumatic, hydraulic, or some combination thereof whilestill complying with the principles disclosed herein. In thisembodiment, motor 122 is a servo motor.

Referring now to FIG. 6, clamping assembly 140 comprises an axis 145, afirst or upper engagement member 142, a second or lower engagementmember 152 disposed axially below the upper engagement member 142, and alocking clamp 160 disposed axially below the lower engagement member152. Upper engagement member 142 has a first end 142 a which is coupledto member 116 of housing 112, and a second end 142 b projectingsubstantially radially outwardly from the first end 142 b with respectto the axis 145. A throughbore 141 extends through the upper engagementmember 142 along the axis 145 at a point that is disposed between theends 142 a, b. Additionally, an upper contact surface 144 issubstantially radially disposed along one side of the upper engagementmember 142 proximate the second end 142 b and generally facing the lowerengagement member 152. Surface 144 may be any suitable material forcontacting or engaging with a hard surface (such as metal) withoutdamaging said material. For example, in some embodiments, surface 144may comprise nylon.

Lower engagement member 152 includes a first end 152 a, a second end 152b opposite the first end 152 a, an attachment section 154 extending fromthe first end 152 a, and an engagement section 156 extending from theattachment section 154 to the second end 152 b. Attachment section 154is substantially disposed between the plates 111, 113 extending fromhousing member 116 and includes a slot 155 (note: slot 155 is shown by abroken line in FIG. 6) that is substantially aligned with thethroughbores 111 a, 113 a, previously described. Slot 155 furtherincludes a first end 155 a, and a second end 155 b opposite the firstend. A securing member 158 having a head 158 a is slidably engaged inthe throughbore 111 a and the slot 155, and is threadably engaged in thethroughbore 113 a. Thus, securing member 158 and thereby housing 112 mayactuate relative to lower engagement member 152 via the slot 155 betweenthe ends 155 a, b. More particularly, housing 112 may actuate relativeto lower engagement member 152 along slot 155 until securing member 158contacts or engages either the end 155 a or the end 155 b. A spacer orwasher 159 is disposed between the head 158 a and plate 111 such thatwhen member 158 rotated and threadably engaged with throughbore 113 a,washer 159 is compressed between head 158 a and plate 111. As washer 159is compressed between the head 158 a and the plate 111, the attachmentsection 154 is also compressed between the plates 111, 113 therebyeffectively fixing the relative position of the housing 112 and thelower engagement member 152. Engagement section 156 includes a slot 153extending through the lower engagement member 152 along the axis 145 ata point between the ends 152 a, b and substantially aligned with thethroughbore 141. Additionally, engagement section 156 comprises a lowercontact surface 157 that is disposed along one side of the lowerengagement member 152, proximate the second end 152 b and generallyfacing the upper engagement member 142. As is described above for uppercontact surface 144, surface 157 may be any suitable material forcontacting or engaging with a hard material (such as metal) withoutdamaging said material. For example, in some embodiments, surface 157comprises nylon.

Locking clamp 160 is disposed axially below both the upper engagementmember 142 and the lower engagement member 152. Clamp 160 generallycomprises a force transfer member 162 and a lever 164 disposed axiallybelow the member 162. Force transfer member 162 includes a centralthroughbore 163 that is substantially aligned with the axis 145, thethroughbore 141, and the slot 153. Lever 164 comprises a central housing164 a and an elongate handle 164 b extending from housing 164 a. Housing164 a is substantially cylindrical in shape and includes a rotationalaxis 165 that is substantially perpendicular to the axis 145, a radiallyinner cylindrical surface 168 a, a central throughbore 167 concentricabout the axis 165 and substantially defined by the surface 168 a, andan radially outer substantially cylindrical surface 168 b which engageswith the axially lower end of the force transfer member 162. As is shownin FIG. 6, outer surface 168 b is disposed at a radius R_(168b) measuredfrom the axis 165. Also as shown in FIG. 6, the axis 165 and thus thethroughbore 167 are positioned slightly off-center with respect to theouter surface 168 b, and thus, the radius R_(168b) varies about the axis165, reaching a relative maximum value R_(168bmax) at one point alongthe surface 168 b and a relative minimum value R_(168bmin) at anotherpoint along the surface 168 b angularly shifted approximately 180° fromthe maximum radius R_(168bmax) about the axis 165. In other words, thehousing 164 a is eccentric about the axis 165. A shaft 166 is disposedwithin the throughbore 167 of housing 164 a along the axis 165 such thatit may slidingly engage the surface 168 a. As will be described in moredetail below, as the housing 164 a rotates about the axis 165, thesurface 168 a slidingly engages the shaft 166 and the surface 168 bslidingly engages the axial lower end of the force transfer member 162.Shaft 166 further includes a throughbore or aperture 169 which isconcentrically aligned with the axis 145 and thus extends substantiallyperpendicular to the axis 165.

A coupling rod 143 is disposed through and slidingly engages thethroughbores 141, 163 of the upper engagement member 142 and the forcetransfer member 162, respectively, and slidingly engages with slot 153of lower engagement member 152 (note: rod 143 is substantially shown inFIG. 6 with a broken line). Rod 143 includes a first or upper end 143 a,a second or lower end 143 b opposite the upper end 143 a, and externalthreads (not shown) extending from the lower end 143 b. These externalthreads engage with corresponding internal threads disposed within theaperture 169 of the shaft 166.

During operation, housing 164 a is rotated about axis 165 via handle 164b such that the inner surface 168 a slidingly engages the shaft 166 andthe outer surface 168 b slidingly engages the axially lower end of theforce transfer member 162. Because housing 164 a is eccentric about theaxis 165, an axially vertical load or force is imparted to the member162 as the radius R_(168b) associated with the point of contact betweenthe member 162 and the surface 168 b approaches the relative maximumvalue R_(168bmax), such as is shown in arrangement depicted in FIG. 6.This axial load causes the member 162 to shift or translate axiallyupward along the rod 143 and axis 145 such that member 162 contacts andengages the lower engagement member 152. Because the rod 143 slidinglyengages the slot 153 of member 152, the member 152 is also forcedaxially upward in response to the engagement with force transfer member162 such that it rotates about the securing member 158. As member 152rotated about the securing member 158, the lower contact surface 157 onthe member 152 is urged axially upward or toward the upper contactsurface 144 on the member 142.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, in some embodiments, lever 164 may bereplaced with a locking nut 220. Nut includes a througbore 225 which issubstantially aligned with the axis 145, previously described (note:throughbore 225 is shown in FIG. 10 with a broken line). Additionallythroughbore 225 includes internal threads (not shown) which correspondand engage with the external threads extending from the lower end 143 bof rod 143. Thus, as nut 220 is rotated about the axis 145 it engageswith the lower engagement member 152 thereby imparting an axial loadthereto, and urging contact surface 157 toward the contact surface 144in the manner previously described.

Referring back now to FIGS. 3 and 5, trigger actuator assembly 180generally comprises a shaft extension member 182 coupled to the shaft124 and a cam 186 coupled the extension member 182. Shaft extensionmember 182 is rotationally fixed to the output shaft 124 of motor 122and is generally aligned with the axis 125. As is best shown in FIG. 5,member 182 generally comprises a first end 182 a proximate the motor122, a second end 182 b opposite the first end 182 a, a first radiallyouter surface 182 c extending from the first end 182 a, a secondradially outer surface 182 d extending from the second end 182 b,wherein the surfaces 182 d, e are radially offset from each other withrespect to the axis 125, and a radially oriented shoulder 182 eextending radially from the surface 182 c to the surface 182 d.Additionally, member 182 further comprises an axial recess or receptacle184 extending from the first end 182 a and configured to receive theshaft 124.

Cam 186 is disposed on extension member 182 proximate the second end 182b, and includes a first or front end 186 a, a second or rear end 186 bopposite the front end 186 a, and a throughbore 188 extending betweenthe ends 186 a, b. As is best shown in FIG. 3, cam 186 also includes afirst or lower side 186 c, a second or upper side 186 d opposite thelower side 186 c, a first lateral side 186 e, a second lateral side 186f opposite the first lateral side 186 e, a major axis 185 extendingbetween the sides 186 c, d, and a minor axis 187 extending between thesides 186 e, f and substantially orthogonal to the major axis 185. Lowerside 186 c comprises a curved trigger engagement surface 183. As will bedescribed below, surface 183 engages with the trigger 12 of rifle 10during operation, thereby causing rifle 10 to discharge when cam 186 isrotated about the axis 125. Cam 186 is rotationally fixed to shaftextension member 182 such that throughbore 188 engages with the surface182 d and rear end 186 b abuts the surface 182 e. Cam 186 may berotationally fixed to the member 182 by any suitable means while stillcomplying with the principles disclosed herein. For example, in someembodiments, surface 182 d may include an axially oriented key whichengages with a corresponding slot formed within the throughbore 188 ofcam 186. In still other embodiments, cam 186 may be coupled to surface182 d via an interference fit. Thus, when shaft 124 is driven to rotateabout the axis 125 via the motor 122, the member 182 and cam 186 bothalso rotate about the axis 125. Further, throughbore 188 is positionedproximate upper side 186 d and the first lateral side 186 e, such thatcam 186 is eccentric about the axis 125. Thus, in the orientation shownin FIG. 3, as cam 186 is driven to rotate about the axis 125 in aclockwise direction, the surface 183 is driven toward the left and intoengagement with the trigger 12 of rifle 10.

Referring again to FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, during operation, trigger actuator100 is coupled to the trigger guard 14 of rifle 10 such that triggerengagement assembly 180 extends into trigger well 16. More particularly,trigger guard 14 is placed between the upper and lower engagementmembers 142,152, respectively, such that the upper and lower contactsurfaces 144, 157, respectively engage with trigger guard 14. Oncetrigger guard 14 is engaged between the surfaces 142, 152, the housing164 a of lever 164 is rotated about the axis 165 via the handle 164 bsuch that an axial load is transferred through the force transfer member162 to the lower engagement member 152 in the manner described above,thus compressing the trigger guard 14 between the surfaces 144, 157.Thereafter, the position of cam 186 within the well 16 may be adjustedrelative to trigger 12 to ensure proper engagement by loosening thesecuring member 134 and sliding the lower end 128 b of motor supportmember 128 against the upper side 114 a of base 114. Once the desiredrelative position between the trigger 12 and cam 186 has been achieved,the securing member 134 is rotated within the throughbore 130 until thewasher 136 is compressed between the head 134 a of the member 134 andthe lower side 114 b. Additionally, the distance that cam 186 extendsinto well 16 along axis 125 may also be adjusted by loosening thesecuring member 158 and sliding member 158 along slot 155. Once thedesired position of the cam 186 within well 16 is achieved, the member158 may be rotated to compress the attachment section 154 between theplates 111, 113, as previously described, thereby maintaining therelative position of cam 186 within well 16, along axis 125.

Referring now to FIG. 9, once actuator 100 has been secured to the rifle10 and the cam 186 is properly positioned relative to the trigger 12 inthe manner described above, a remote firing mechanism 200 may be coupledto the actuator 100 via a conductor 204. In some embodiments, conductor204 may couple to the plug 121 disposed on housing member 116,previously described, in order to both energize motor 122 and provide asignal path from the firing mechanism 200 to the motor 122. As will bedescribed in more detail below, mechanism 200 is used to actuate motor122 such that cam 186 engages with trigger 12 to discharge rifle 10 andeject a projectile out of barrel 18 during operation.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, during operation, a user or operatorof the rifle 10 aligns the barrel with an intended target (not shown).Next, a round or projectile is loaded in the breach or chamber of rifle10 in a manner which is appropriate for the design of rifle 10.Thereafter, the operator actuates the motor 122, such as, for example,by depressing a firing button located on the remote firing mechanism200. Upon receiving a signal from the remote firing mechanism 200 viathe conductor 204 and plug 121, the motor 122 rotates the shaft 124about the axis 125 approximately 90° in a clockwise direction as viewedin the orientation shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. As shaft 124 rotates aboutaxis 125, shaft extension member 182 also rotates, thereby also causingcam 186 to rotate about the axis 125. As cam 186 rotates in the mannerdescribe above, the engagement surface 183 contacts and engages with thetrigger 12 within well 16. As previously described, because cam 186 iseccentric about the axis 125, a radial force is exerted on the trigger12 by the cam 186 when cam 186 is rotated about the axis 125, thusdepressing trigger 12 within well 16 and causing firearm 10 to dischargeto eject a projectile out of barrel 18, towards the intended target.Once cam 186 has been rotated approximately 90° (and thus has achievedthe position shown in FIG. 11), the motor 122 rotates shaft 124, member182, and cam 186 in a counter clockwise direction as viewed in theorientation shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in order to return cam 186 to thestarting orientation shown in FIG. 10. It should be appreciated that, insome embodiments, motor 122 can be directed to maintain the rotatedposition shown in FIG. 11 such that trigger 12 remains depressed for anextended period of time, in order to maintain fully automatic fire fromthe rifle 10.

Referring again to FIGS. 3, 10, and 11, in some embodiments, the properpositioning of cam 186 within the trigger well 16 is achieved by firstensuring that the breach or chamber of rifle 10 is empty and thenmanually depressing and holding the trigger 12 of rifle 10. Thereafter,the cam 186 is rotated approximately 90° via the motor 122, such that itis substantially maintained in the position shown in FIG. 11, and thedrive assembly 120 is moved or translated such that cam 186 is urgedtoward the depressed trigger 12 until surface 183 on cam 186 contactsand fully engages trigger 12, thus ensuring proper relative positioningbetween cam 186 and trigger 12. The position of the cam 186 is thenfixed via the methods previously described (e.g., by tightening securingmembers 134, 158). Thereafter, the trigger 12 is released and the cam186 is rotated counter clockwise approximately 90° such that it issubstantially in the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 10. Thereafter, cam186 may be actuated via the motor 122 to fully engage trigger 12 inorder to ensure proper firing of the rifle 10 via the actuator 100.

Thus, by use of a remote trigger actuator (e.g., actuator 100) inaccordance with the principles disclosed herein, a user or operator maydischarge a rifle (e.g., rifle 10) without the need to physically handlesaid rifle or manually depress the trigger (e.g., trigger 12), andthereby can avoid introducing any undesirable asymmetric forces into theweapon system which may unintentionally shift the point of impart of theprojectile. Further, through use of a remote trigger actuator (e.g.,actuator 100) in accordance with the principles disclosed herein, a useror operator may easily adjust the actuator to fit with multiple typesand/or designs of firearms (e.g., rifle 10), while using no or very fewtools.

Further, while embodiments of the remote trigger actuator 100 have beendescribed herein as being used with a rifle 10, it should be appreciatedthat in other embodiments, the actuator 100 may be utilized with anytype of firearm which employs the use of a trigger to discharge aprojectile from said firearm. For example, actuator 100 may be used witha shot gun, a handgun, a machine gun, etc. while still complying withthe principles disclosed herein. Additionally, while the remote triggeractuator 100 has been described and shown as being actuated via a remotefiring mechanism 200 which is coupled to the actuator 100 via aconductor 204, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments, theactuator 100 may be actuated or activated via a controller coupled tothe actuator 100 through a wireless connection. Further, in someembodiments, either in addition to or in that alternative of the methodsdiscussed above, the position of the cam 186 relative to the trigger 12within well 16 may be adjusted by sliding the upper and lower engagementmembers 142, 152 along the trigger guard 14. Still further, whileembodiments described and disclosed herein have included either alocking clamp 160 or a locking nut 220, it should be appreciated that inother embodiments, any suitable releasable coupling mechanism may beused to mount trigger actuator 100 to the trigger guard 14 of a firearm10 while still complying with the principles disclosed herein.

While preferred embodiments have been shown and described, modificationsthereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from thescope or teachings herein. The embodiments described herein areexemplary only and are not limiting. Many variations and modificationsof the systems, apparatus, and processes described herein are possibleand are within the scope of the invention. For example, the relativedimensions of various parts, the materials from which the various partsare made, and other parameters can be varied. Accordingly, the scope ofprotection is not limited to the embodiments described herein, but isonly limited by the claims that follow, the scope of which shall includeall equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Unless expresslystated otherwise, the steps in a method claim may be performed in anyorder. The recitation of identifiers such as (a), (b), (c) or (1), (2),(3) before steps in a method claim are not intended to and do notspecify a particular order to the steps, but rather are used to simplifysubsequent reference to such steps.

1. A remote trigger actuator, comprising: a driver; a shaft coupled tothe driver, the shaft including a central axis, a proximal end, and adistal end opposite the proximal end; and a cam coupled to the shaftproximate the distal end, the cam including a first end and a second endopposite the first end; wherein rotation of the shaft about the axiscauses the second end of the cam to engage a trigger of the firearmthereby discharging the firearm; and wherein the trigger actuator isconfigured to be mounted to the firearm.
 2. The remote trigger actuatorof claim 1, wherein the driver is configured to rotate the shaft from afirst position to a second position, wherein the first position isangularly shifted approximately 90° from the second position about theaxis.
 3. The remote trigger actuator of claim 2, further comprising acontroller including a switch, wherein the shaft rotates from the firstposition to the second position when the switch is engaged.
 4. Theremote trigger actuator of claim 3, wherein the shaft rotates from thesecond position to the first position when the switch is dis-engaged. 5.The remote trigger actuator of claim 1, further comprising a housingsurrounding the driver, wherein the housing is coupled to a triggerguard of the firearm.
 6. The remote trigger actuator of claim 5, furthercomprising a locking clamp, wherein the level clamp is configured tosecure the housing to the trigger guard.
 7. The remote trigger actuatorof claim 5, further comprising a bracing member coupled to the housing,wherein the bracing member engages the firearm.
 8. The remote triggeractuator of claim 7, wherein the bracing member is mounted within thetrigger guard.
 9. The remote trigger actuator of claim 5, wherein thehousing is coupled to the trigger guard of the firearm with a lockingnut.
 10. The remote trigger actuator of claim 1, wherein the cam furthercomprises a first lateral side, and a second lateral side opposite thefirst lateral side, and a trigger engagement surface disposed at thesecond end extending between the first and second lateral sides.
 11. Theremote trigger actuator of claim 10, wherein the trigger engagementsurface is curved.
 12. The remote trigger actuator of claim 1, whereinthe cam is eccentric about the central axis.
 13. The remote triggeractuator of claim 1, wherein the driver is a servo motor.
 14. A remotetrigger actuator for a firearm, comprising: a housing mountable to thefirearm; a driver slidingly disposed within the housing; a shaft coupledto the driver, the shaft including a central axis, a proximal enddisposed within the housing, and a distal end extending from thehousing; and a cam coupled to the shaft proximate the distal end, thecam including a first end and a second end opposite the first end;wherein rotation of the shaft about the axis causes the second end ofthe cam to engage a trigger of the firearm thereby discharging thefirearm.
 15. The remote trigger actuator of claim 14, wherein the drivermay be moved relative to the housing in order to facilitate engagementbetween the cam and the trigger.
 16. The remote trigger actuator ofclaim 14, wherein the housing is mountable the firearm by engaging atrigger guard of the firearm between an upper engagement member and alower engagement member, wherein the upper engagement member and thelower engagement member are coupled to the housing.
 17. The remotetrigger actuator of claim 16, wherein the lower engagement member iscoupled to the housing with a slotted connection, and wherein thehousing and the upper engagement member may be moved relative to thelower engagement member.
 18. The remote trigger actuator of claim 17,wherein engagement of the trigger guard between the upper and lowerengagement members is facilitated by a locking clamp.
 19. The remotetrigger actuator of claim 17, wherein engagement of the trigger guardbetween the upper and lower engagement members is facilitated by alocking nut.
 20. The remote trigger actuator of claim 14, furthercomprising a controller including a switch, wherein the shaft rotatesabout the axis when the switch is engaged.
 21. A method of discharging afirearm, comprising: mounting a remote trigger actuator to a triggerguard of the firearm, the remote trigger actuator further comprising: adriver; a shaft coupled to the driver, the shaft including a centralaxis, a proximal end, and a distal end opposite the proximal end; and acam coupled to the shaft proximate the distal end, the cam including afirst end and a second end opposite the first end; engaging a trigger ofthe firearm with the second end of the cam; and rotating the shaft aboutthe axis to discharge the firearm.
 22. The method of claim 21, whereinengaging a trigger of the firearm with the second end of the cam furthercomprises: depressing a trigger of the firearm; rotating the shaft froma first position to a second position; sliding the trigger actuatoralong the trigger guard until the cam engages with the depressedtrigger; and rotating the shaft back to the first position, wherein thefirst position is angularly shifted approximately 90° from the secondposition.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein rotating the shaft aboutthe axis to discharge the firearm comprises rotating the shaft from thefirst position to the second position.
 24. The method of claim 23,wherein rotating the shaft about the axis to discharge the firearmfurther comprises actuating a switch on a controller which iselectrically coupled to the driver.